Working Women Wednesday with Jaci Burton
WwW with Jaci Burton
Are you thinking about our planet? When you go about your no doubt very busy day, are you thinking about how everything you do impacts the world we live in? From the cost of gasoline to the burning of fossil fuels to the amount of garbage we create that’s littering up the landfills, we have to take a step back and realize that we can make a difference and create a better planet for our children and all the children that come after them. And save money!
You’re busy. I know you are. And one of the last things you want to think about is paper vs plastic vs greenhouse gases vs global warming vs what the hell does it all mean? But the fact is, excess carbon dioxide is destroying our planet, endangering animals, damaging our air quality, changing our weather patterns and forever altering the landscape of our Earth. And we’re creating it by filling out landfills with trash and filling our air with it via the cars we drive and the vehicles that bring us the food we eat. And much much more than that. But it’s not too late. There are simple things you can do that can not only help to save the planet, they can save you time, money and energy. And as busy as we all are, I’m all about saving just about anything.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it’s a simple start to get you on your way to helping save the planet, and of course, a little money. And with the rising cost of gasoline, who doesn’t want to save a little money?
- Recycle. It’s the simplest, easiest thing to do to save our planet, and you can even make money doing it. Steel and aluminum prices are at an all time high. Go get yourself a big plastic garbage can and line it with a garbage bag. Get one of those handy can crushers (under $20 at any hardware store or Wal Mart probably has them too) and mount it on the wall. When you consume a can of soda or beer, rinse it out, crush it and toss it in your plastic garbage can. When the bag is full, pull it out and when you have several bags filled, take them to the local aluminum recycling center. All you have to do is Google to find your local recycling center, and take your bags there (make sure to find the ones who pay for aluminum). They will weigh the bags and pay you (average price per pound for recycled aluminum is around $.60.) What a great way to get some money back on your purchases!
- Stop using paper or plastic at the grocery store. I don’t know about you, but I have a ton of my own canvas bags and I bring those to the store to use for my groceries. If you don’t have any, most stores sell them now for as little as $1 a bag. Think of all the plastic you’ll keep out of the landfill by using your own grocery bags!
- Recycle your plastic bottles and newspapers too. It’s so easy to find recycling centers (if your current trash program doesn’t offer recycling.) All you have to do is look them up on the internet, buy extra cans to toss in paper and plastic, and you’re saving your planet. And if you’re one of the lucky ones whose trash program offers recycling, PLEASE use it!
- Unplug any electrical devices in your house that aren’t currently being used. That toaster or blow dryer and curling iron don’t need to be plugged in unless you’re using them. And when plugged in, they use energy. How simple is it to save energy by unplugging them.
- Turn your thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees in the winter. Wear less clothes in the summer and toss on a sweater and blanket in the winter. You’re saving the environment, and your heating and air conditioning bill!
- Turn off electrical devices you’re not using. The stereo, the computer, the television. Anything you’re not currently using, turn it off. This saves a ton of electricity. And if you only use it periodically, like I said in #5, unplug it!
- Whenever you can, take fewer trips. I make a list of things I need to do in town, then do them all at once instead of making many back and forth trips several times a week. I save a lot of gas this way (and who doesn’t want to save gas right now?) and I put less carbon emissions into the environment too.
- Buy from local growers and buy organic foods. Food grown locally is not transported via gas guzzling semi trucks, and locally grown fruits and vegetables are delicious, plus you’re supporting your local growers. Organic foods have not been treated with and do not fill the atmosphere with ozone depleting pesticides. And they’re better for you and your families!
- Only wash clothes and dishes when you have a full load. This uses less energy and will save you money. Wash as many of your clothes as you can in cold water, which is more energy efficient than hot. Trust me, whites will still get just as clean in cold water. And bleach works just as effectively in cold water as in hot.
- Speaking of bleach, chemicals add to the depletion of the ozone layer. You can clean your house effectively with three simple things –lemon, baking soda and vinegar. They are more natural substitutes for harsh chemical cleaners, and cheaper too! Here’s a great article about using these items to clean with: ARTICLE
You can read more about global warming and there are more action tips to save energy and money HERE.
More in depth information about global warming can be found here and here.
A global organization to effect solutions to the climate crisis: Here
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Jaci Burton is a multi published author who writes in many genres. She writes for Bantam Dell, Berkley, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. She’s won several awards, including the Romantic Times BookReview Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal.
Great post! Thanks Jaci!!!!
July 23rd, 2008 | #
[...] at Mandy Roth’s blog for Working Women Wednesdays, harping about the environment and all the things you can do to help [...]
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Thank you for asking me to guest today Mandy!
Jaci Burtons last blog post..Today I’m At
July 23rd, 2008 | #
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Funnily enough, I blogged this morning about my mom’s experience with canvas bags and a Wal-Mart cashier who refused to use them because she believes everything in Jaci’s post is “Al Gore’s lies.”
Nice how habitability of the planet has become a divisive political issue instead of one in which we all share the same interest.
Another thing I try to do is purchase products with less packaging, particularly at the grocery store, so I’m generating less garbage. It’s wasteful to pack something in a tray in a bag in a box when one or the other would do the job.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Oh my. Did your mother offer to put one of the plastic bags over said cashier’s head? Wait, your mom is probably way nicer than me.
Good thoughts on purchasing with less packaging.
I’m really into organic foods because my youngest has major food allergies.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Kerry. Seriously? I’d have complained to management. Wal Mart even sells the eco-friendly canvas bags for God’s sake! What a moron! This isn’t a political issue, it’s a global issue for all humankind.
*kicks rocks*
Jaci Burtons last blog post..Today I’m At
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Hi, Mandy–I followed Jaci here, so you can blame her
See, I don’t care if “there are geological cycles and it’s not humanity’s doing and it’ll go to hell anyway and it’s poor/manipulated science/political BS”
Whether there are those geological cycles or not, it’s fairly obvious that humanity’s garbage output has skyrocketed in the past half century.
I reuse dog food bags for trash, reuse envelopes, boxes, folders until they fall apart. I find a second and third use for pretty much everything. And no half-full trash bag leaves my house ever
Left over food goes to the garden–hello, fertilizer (coffee grounds are particularly good for flowering bushes, such as hibiscus, if you make sure to let them ‘age’ a bit in a bag or other container, and not put too much too close to roots.)
Laundry: full loads, yes; cold water, yes; natural cleaners vs corrosive chemicals, yes (use borax instead of bleach–works much better and doesn’t stink). Also, do a couple extra spins in your washer before moving the clean clothes to the dryer–they’ll dry in a shorter time, with less energy consumption.
On the grocery shopping/bagging issue: I use the self-service registers and, before getting a large reusable bag I got at Home Depot for a dollar, I would fill those suckers FULL. Then I would fold (yes, I’m anal on top of everything else) and keep the bags for trash–I don’t use litter box liners, instead empty the pans into a doubled up grocery bags. I have enough grocery bags saved to clean my litter boxes for a couple of years.
Water usage and waste is also a sore issue for me. If you have an irrigation system, make sure you have it on a timer. A good soaking twice a week, during the night, will do your lawn much more good than a daily drizzle in the middle of the day, will cost you much less, and will help preserve the water table wherever you live. And for goodness’ sake, install a friggin’ rain censor, so the thing won’t go off in the middle of a downpour!
*ahem*
If you don’t have an irrigation system and instead water with a hose or hose-sprinkler thing… get a drip hose and wind it against the base of your shrubbery. Alternatively, grab a few empty plastic bottles (those 2litter or half gallon jugs work very well), then poke a few holes around the bottom. Bury them, right side up, near your bushes or trees roots systems, until only a couple of inches is above soil level. With the hose, fill the bottle up once a week or so.
*ahem*
sorry, shutting up now.
(yes, a hot button for me too)
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Hear hear!
We’ve been trying harder to recycle more and more. I do already use those canvas bags–I have a bevy of them from different stores and find they come in handy for all sorts of things–especially those with reinforced square bottoms–very handy.
I’m definitely going to use baking soda/lemon/vinegar cleaning methods more. It’s been one of those “easier to grab the bottle of windex/409/etc”than pull out the other stuff, but we all need to make a little more effort.
Great article, Jaci!
Melani Blazers last blog post..Breaking news…beep beep beep beep beepity beep beep
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Hi azteclady!
I wish more people in the world felt the way you do. The extra spin cycle in the wash does help save on that dryer bill. I need to get the habit of remembering to take my canvas bags with me to the store. I normally go for brown bag because the local (tiny) market I shop at gives ya that option in addition to canvas bags. When I do get plastic bags, I’m like you, I use the hell out of them. I’m also careful to tie them in a knot when I do dispose of them. A doctor friend of mine once told me this horror story of a little kid swallowing a small plastic bag and he got into this long discussion on the knot would have been something to help the doctors grab onto in order to yank it out. Plus, he went into how wildlife was affected by bits of plastic and plastic bags. He is a total “green” guy.
Its really troubling to me when just about anywhere you go in the world today, remote or not, you find man’s trash/junk.
Something needs to be done about this on a global level but in the meantime, everyone of us can do our part.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Hi Melani! You can keep a bottle of vinegar and water mixed up and ready to spray instantly. You’ll be amazed how much friendly this stuff is on your hands too. Plus, every time I rub lemons on my counter to get out stains, my entire kitchen smells so good.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
How the “F” do I do the quotes again? I’m blog comment challenged.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Kerry — I thought walmart sold the canvas bags for just such a purpose. And, jeesh, it’s not like your mom brought in her pack mule and asked the lady to load him up. Some people :…:
Jaci — Great post! And it’s great advice to use all our conference bags for groceries. I didn’t think of that, but I always use them as my post office bag and for trips the library. I’ll definately be bringing them to the store with me.
Our town had the mandatory recycling with city pick up, so I’m used to separating my garbage. We don’t get paid for cans, but it’s not like it’s hard to participate. They even provide the bins.
GREAT TOPIC!!! & thanks for the link.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
I have a crapload of canvas bags from various conferences I’ve attended over the years, all of varying sizes. Those are what I use for grocery shopping. Great for the environment, great for promo! It advertises that I’m an author and a lover of romance. How can that be wrong?
I’m wicked thrilled y’all showed up to comment, and that you’re so vehement about your conservation efforts. One person really CAN make a difference!
Jaci Burtons last blog post..Today I’m At
July 23rd, 2008 | #